domestic violence – Saddleworth Liberal Democrats

01Apr 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Women killed at the hands of men in 28% of all murder cases

House of Commons Library Research commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has revealed that 28% of all murder cases since 2016 are women murdered by men. Since the brutal murder of Sarah Everard last year in March, the data shows that 109 women have been murdered where men were the main suspect. This is out of 414 murder victims overall, equalling 26% of all murder cases. Liberal Democrat Women and Equalities Spokesperson, Wera Hobhouse MP has slammed the Government for turning a blind eye to anti-women hatred and refusing to take violence against women and girls seriously. Liberal Democrats have accused the Government of ‘turning a blind-eye’ to violence against women and girls, choosing to bury their head in the sand. Wera Hobhouse MP commented: “These figures lay are nothing short…

28Jan 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Crime stats: Government failing survivors of sexual violence

Parliamentary news

Responding to today's quarterly crime stats, which show that sexual offences are at their highest level recorded within a 12 month period and rape offences are at their highest annual number on record, Liberal Democrat Justice and Women & Equalities Spokesperson Wera Hobhouse MP said: “These appalling figures lay bare the disturbing truth that violence against women is endemic in our society. “Survivors deserve justice. They deserve to be properly supported to come forward and be listened to when they do. What they don’t deserve is to be failed by a Government that sits on its hands and allows far too many violent predators to walk free without facing the consequence of their actions. “Wholesale changes are needed across the board to ensure survivors get the justice they need. That…

11Dec 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats seek National Stalking and Domestic Violence Register to catch offenders

Borough news, CSE, domestic abuse and violence

Oldham’s Liberal Democrats believe that proposed legislation currently going through Parliament would be much more effective if it included a commitment to establish an offenders’ register for those convicted of stalking or domestic violence. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Councillor Chris Gloster, a former police officer with 30 years’ experience, will be proposing a motion to the next meeting of Oldham Council (16 December) calling on the government to create this register as part of the Domestic Abuse Bill when it becomes law. Councillor Chris Gloster explained why he is bringing this motion to Council: “The Covid-19 lockdown has sadly led to a significant increase in reports of domestic violence as partners have been obliged to spend more time at home and underlying tensions in relationships lead to breakdown. Most shockingly…

07Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Landmark domestic abuse legislation passes House of Commons

Parliamentary news

The Liberal Democrats have hailed the passing of the “landmark” Domestic Abuse Bill. The Liberal Democrats tabled a number of amendments designed to further support survivors of domestic abuse. Ahead of the Commons debate, the Liberal Democrats had succeeded in pushing the Government to ban alleged domestic abusers from cross-examining survivors in family courts and to properly recognise children as victims of domestic abuse. Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine had secured cross-party support for two amendments to protect migrants who experience domestic abuse. Neither was put to a vote, but the Government agreed to introduce a pilot scheme to give more support to migrant survivors, and Christine Jardine secured an assurance from the Minister that they will put a stop to police sharing survivors' data for immigration purposes. Following the passage…

05Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems secure cross-party support to protect migrant women in “historic” Domestic Abuse Bill

Parliamentary news

The Liberal Democrats have hailed as “historic” the Domestic Abuse Bill, which is due to be passed by the House of Commons today, while also securing cross-party support for amendments to protect migrant survivors of abuse. Christine Jardine, the party’s Home Affairs Spokesperson who sat on the Public Bill Committee last month, praised the cross-party pressure that has finally brought the legislation to this point and forced the Government to include children as victims in the new statutory definition of domestic abuse. Jardine also vowed to continue the Liberal Democrats’ efforts to improve the Bill further. The party has tabled two amendments to protect migrant women who experience domestic abuse: one to grant them leave to remain in the UK and the other to prevent their personal data being shared with…

25Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems “delighted” by move to increase protection for abuse survivors in family courts

Parliamentary news

The Government has confirmed it will strengthen protections in courts for survivors of domestic abuse through an amendment to the Domestic Abuse Bill, following calls from campaigning organisations and the Liberal Democrats. During Committee Stage of the Bill, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine tabled an amendment calling for the introduction of 'special measures' in family courts during Committee Stage of the Bill. The Government has today announced that it will bring in these changes in their own version of the amendment. Following the Government announcement Christine Jardine said: “These latest recommendations to protect Domestic Abuse survivors in family courts are what we were asking for in the Bill and so I’m delighted the Government is to recognise this with their own version of our amendment. “Too often, perpetrators use court proceedings to continue their abuse and…

18Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems support amendments to put humanity at heart of Domestic Abuse Bill

Parliamentary news

Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine has today spoken in favour of amendments to the Domestic Abuse Bill to put “humanity at the heart” of the Bill. If passed, the amendments would ensure an abuse survivor’s immigration status does not affect the support they receive. The Bill currently fails to make provisions to support “one of the most vulnerable groups” affected by domestic abuse: migrant women. This is a direct result of the Conservative Government’s Hostile Environment policies, which prevent immigrants accessing public funds and key support services. Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson, Christine Jardine, who is on the Bill Committee, spoke in favour of amendments to: Change the rules to grant indefinite leave to remain to migrant survivors of domestic abuse.Allow migrants who are survivors of domestic abuse to access…

16Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

From rail to refuge, let’s keep victims safe!

Borough news, Campaigns

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and Leader of the Opposition on Oldham Council, is trying to rally Greater Manchester bosses around a new way to help victims of domestic abuse. The ‘Rail to Refuge’ scheme, is an essential but little-known lifeline. It provides a lifeline to those fleeing domestic violence. Rail to Refuge supports victims of domestic abuse by advising them to seek safety in a refuge well away from their abuser. There have been worries that the scheme is not well publicised and that this is a temporary fix. Rail to Refuge helps by purchasing a rail ticket for the victim to flee a situation of abuse. Unfortunately, the Scheme has been time limited to the Covid-19 lockdown period. Councillor Sykes is calling for…

10Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Record levels of domestic abuse demands tougher law, warn Lib Dems

Parliamentary news

Responding to reports from the NSPCC that children impacted by domestic abuse have soared to an average of one an hour during the coronavirus lockdown, Liberal Democrat Homes Affairs spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “Domestic abuse leaves a devasting, lifelong impact on survivors. To know that cases have spiked to a record level during the coronavirus lockdown is terrifying. “Ministers must act. Not only must the Government address shortages in services but Ministers must also use the Domestic Abuse Bill to strengthen protection and support for survivors. “That is why I am urging the Government to support Liberal Democrats amendments to improve key aspects of this Bill, and help those who are trapped, without resources to leave abusive homes.”

08Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems push to strengthen support for survivors in Domestic Abuse Bill

Parliamentary news

The Liberal Democrats have tabled amendments to the Domestic Abuse Bill to "strengthen protection and support" for survivors of abuse.Christine Jardine, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson, has tabled a series of amendments at Committee Stage to ensure the "strongest possible" support for survivors. The measures include: Create Local Welfare Provision schemes to provide a "financial lifeline" to anyone trapped in a violent home because they cannot afford to leave;Provide guidance to prevent economic abuse through withholding of child maintenance funds or similar actions; Ensure the option of special measures - such as appearance via video-link - for people giving evidence about domestic abuse in family courts, not just criminal courts;Provide guidance on safeguarding young people from abuse in the context of teenage relationships. The Liberal Democrats will also be supporting amendments on a range of other issues, including ensuring that survivors receive…